I remember when I was first hired as a police officer. I was scared to death. I was a 23-year-old, naive KID with a childhood dream of becoming a police officer. I realized that dream and turned it into a 22-year long career in the profession. I have gained so much life experience as a result of those 22 years in the profession. I’m thankful for those experiences as they have defined the man I am today. However, dreams and desires change with time. It is now time to close the door on that beginning to focus on my new beginning.

Today, I’m closing the door on that chapter of my life and moving forward. As Seneca stated, “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” Do I have reservations about my decision? Who wouldn’t? I am altering my life, moving in an entirely different direction. Yeah, I feel like that 23-year-old scared, naive kid again. Those same feelings are flowing through my body. Except for this time, I’m a 45-year-old man staring down an unknown, scary path in life, and I don’t know where that path is going to take me.

I can’t look back though. I have to take that first step. I have to keep moving forward. The path will become more evident. It all starts with taking that first step. I accomplished everything I wanted to achieve in law enforcement. I realize looking back now with reservations is only because I was comfortable. It is what I’ve known for 22 years. However, I was no longer being challenged. To truly change your life you have to get out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself; do things you have never done before. In reality, I was in a dead-end career with no hope of positive change.

Moving forward can also mean taking a step backward and reassessing your chosen path through eyes of humility. Humility is a powerful and underutilized trait these days. Humility does not make you weak. In fact, humility makes you influential, especially to those in leadership positions. However, the sad thing is many so-called leaders believe the opposite when it comes to modesty. They think humility makes you weak and vulnerable. Acknowledging that you aren’t perfect sends a powerful message to those around you.

Therefore, through the eyes of humility, I’m moving forward. I’m going to reevaluate my path daily and adjust my sails toward the new destinations I’ve chosen. We are given one life to be happy and prosperous. We are given multiple opportunities to fulfill those obligations. Sadly, most of us are blinded by comfort rather than opening our eyes to all those glorious opportunities. Clear safe paths are comforting; the reason why most of us stay on them. Sometimes, we just need to take a risk and venture into those unknown, scary paths; something remarkable could be waiting on the other side.

Like this:

LikeLoading...

Published by T. Christian Smith

I am a 22 year veteran of law enforcement where I served as a supervisor, Field Training Officer (FTO), Training and Development Officer, and SWAT. I have a bachelor degree in Business Administration and a master degree in Organizational Leadership. I have a genuine passion for helping those who are struggling through life's obstacles.
View all posts by T. Christian Smith